Top 5 at NY NOW Expo

I am in designer heaven filled with hand crafted artisanal items at the New York Now expo at the Javits Center. There are so many stalls that I am spreading my visits out over the next few days to take it all in. Here are my five favourites from my visit today.

We are not allowed to take photographs so I have borrowed all of the images from their respective websites. Be sure to click on any of the images for a direct link to their beautiful websites.

“Mullein & Sparrow is a luxury, vegan beauty line crafted with care in Brooklyn. We believe that plants can be powerful and that true and authentic beauty naturally unfolds from pure formulas and high-quality, effective ingredients. We seek to nurture the mind, body, and spirit as a pathway to inner and outer beauty. That’s why we start with bringing the purest and finest botanicals directly to your skin. Our small, independent company consists of creative free spirits who share a love of holistic beauty and wellness. All of our products are made with care and are vegan and cruelty-free. While we are small-batched in Brooklyn, our formulas are universal.”

“Growing up in California, with parents under the heavy influence of the 60's, made an unavoidable and lasting impression. I was surrounded by artists and designers who exposed me to psychedelic art and rock n' roll. Despite my best efforts to not be like my parents, I went to art school, became an Art Director and married a musician. After years of working on big advertising campaigns, I was drawn to the freedom of the freelance life. My new independence led me to travel to places near and far and go touring with my husband across the globe.

That's what inspired Von Drenik. A leather goods and accessories line that embodies both free-spirited creativity and modern functionality. There's an emphasis on handmade elements, traditional leather working, and artist collaborations.

Each new season brings the welcome opportunity to continue this life lived in wanderlust. Regardless of where we go, Von Drenik is made stateside in NYC and finished by hand in our Portland, OR studio. All of our textiles are ethically sourced and made by artisans in India."

“Small, special things can inspire and enrich your daily life, whether it be a crisp new set of thank you notes, a beautiful mug for coffee or tea, stocking your bathroom with scented soap in a pretty glass bottle, or a colorful vase on display in a most frequented room.

And there you have LEIF - set out to present the most special, beautiful things that add a unique touch to day-to-day living. The LEIF lifestyle: growing indoor citrus trees, a collection of mismatched handmade ceramics, Meyer lemon butter on freshly baked scones, various breeds of succulents scattered throughout the home, a garden full of vegetables, a couch filled with vintage pillows, freshly cut flowers on a reclaimed wood kitchen table, trips to the farmers' market, linen sheets, slip-on sneakers and striped t-shirts on a Saturday.”

Roost originated as a wholesale line of home furnishings and accessories with an emphasis on organic style and highly livable design. Over time, our extensive offerings have evolved to include holiday decor and jewelry. Our aesthetic is contemporary without being hard-edged. The majority of Roost products are designed by our small group of design associates and manufactured for us in workshops around the globe where we have had longstanding relationships. Our products are crafted with care from authentic, natural materials and artisanal fabrication techniques. We utilize recycled and repurposed materials whenever possible.

Our home collection includes furniture, lighting, home decor, textiles, entertaining and tabletop. We offer holiday decor and ornaments in an array of festive styles. Roost jewelry focuses on contemporary and accessible designs with handcrafted details, unusual and interesting gemstones and appealing metal finishes.